Unobtrusive rear sight

ABSTRACT

An unobtrusive rear gun sight includes a fixed base for rigid attachment to a gun, and a fixed elongated stem which has a sight aperture integrated at the end farthest away from the base. The elongate stem slides in a groove or path located within the fixed base. A cam device, having a manually rotatable member, is mounted on the fixed base for retaining and driving the elongated stem along a fixed longitudinal path so as to allow a shooter to sight his weapon. The base and stem are robustly built so as to survive a drop onto a hard surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gun sights and, more particularly, toadjustable rear sights for firearms such as rifles when such sights areintended for use with non magnified optics, and the method of using suchsights.

2. Prior Art

Guns, including rifles, shotguns and pistols, often have a pair ofsights, with one located near the front, and the other disposed towardthe rear thereof Sometimes, the front sight is a fixed member, and therear sight is a blade, which may be raised or lowered adjustably, toconform to a desired line of sight relationship of the sights and targetto the gun barrel The rear sight blade may be notched, or contain anaperture, to enable the user to align the rear sight with the frontsight, along the barrel of the firearm. With the proliferation of opticsfound on the weapons of modern militaries new features previously notconsidered in regards to a rear sights are needed.

Adjustability of the rear sight is often desirable, in order to permitthe user to compensate for undesirable characteristics in the ballisticflight of the projectile. Such undesirable characteristics frequentlyresult from manufacturing variations, or even defects. Moreover improperor imprecise handling of the firearm can cause misalignment among thefront and rear sights and the gun barrel.

While the front sight still needs to maintain adjustment capabilities tocompensate for bullet flight characteristics such features on the rearsights have become an equated. Modern warfare typically occurs atdistances less than 300 meters and most often at distances less than 130meters. With the flight characteristics of modern ammunition and theextensive use of optics, iron or fixed sights are now of secondaryimportance. The optic is expected to allow for the delivery of accuratefire at long range not the adjustable iron sights of the past. Even withthe extensive use of optics the use of sights on a firearm are stillconsidered necessary because batteries and electronics can and willfail.

It is recognized that, because there is often a great distance betweenthe gun and the target, even minor variations in the position of the gunsight can have significant effects on the course of the bullet. As aresult, adjustability of the rear sight is highly desirable to permitprecise aiming alignment of the firearm at the target, andpredictability in use thereof Frequently, conventional firearms, such asrifles, are equipped with rear sights, which are manually adjustable forwindage.

In addition to precision of adjustment, the location and size ofadjustable rear sights are very important considerations. In general,conventional rear sight adjustment mechanisms are located on the top ofthe gun barrel. As a result, such mechanisms must be compact in size andhave a low silhouette design so as to permit a clear, unobstructed lineof sight between the rear sight, optics, and the front sight. Because ofthese factors, firearm rear sight adjustment mechanisms are generallyintricate, complicated and expensive to manufacture. Strength iscompromised when the sights housing is diminished to make is smaller. Inorder to reduce cost cheaper materials or processes of manufacturing areused in order to reduce cost. Therefore, it would be highly desirable tohave a sight which minimally obstructs the users view through an optic,is fixed in an upright position, has a rear sight adjustment mechanismwhich would be relatively uncomplicated in design, capable of preciseadjustment, and yet sufficiently durable to perform reliably under fieldconditions. At the same time, such a precisely adjustable gun sightshould have a low silhouette, be extremely durable and should berelatively easy to adjust manually in field conditions.

Another important consideration in rear sight adjustment mechanismdesign relates to the effects of rough handling of the gun in the field.Because of such handling, adjustment mechanisms must be securely mountedto the firearm so as not to become dislodged or inadvertently jarred outof proper adjustment during use. Frequently, modern sights are designedto interface with a 1913 Picatinny rail which is the preferred method ofmounting sights and optics on firearms. Such a mounting method does notrequire any special knowledge of firearms and is extremely resistance tobeing jarred out of alignment. In view of the need for precise windageadjustment of firearms, it would be highly advantageous to have a reargun sight which would have a windage adjustment capability, and whichwould be reliable, inexpensive to manufacture and capable of convenient,and yet sensitive windage adjustment under field conditions. Such a gunsight should be readily and conveniently adjustable for windagecompensation purposes. It is also pertinent that such a readilyadjustable rear sight not be so sensitive to adjustment that the userinadvertently adjust zero by snagging the knob of said rear sight onclothing or other common gear. Therefore, it would be highly desirableto have an adjustment knob which is secured by sufficient force as torequire the exertion of moderate force to actuate adjustment.

With further regard to field use, it is sometimes necessary for windageadjustments to be made in cold or wet weather conditions. In suchconditions, it is desirable for the user to perform the adjustment whilewearing gloves. It would be highly desirable to have such a gun sightwhich has the above mentioned characteristics, and which permitsreliable and precise adjustment under adverse weather and lightingconditions. By using a loaded .223 cartridge or other pointed object,the windage knob of the presented invention may be actuated. Sufficientpressure from the hand when applied correctly will also move the windageadjustment knob.

Gun sights are known which are capable of minimally obstructing theusers view by folding the sight down to the contour of the firearm whilenot in use. In this regards, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No.5,533,292 which discloses a gun site which folds down when not in use.Unfortunately sights such as these require the user to take his hands ofthe host weapon in order to flip the sight into a firing position. Thismovement renders the user inoperable for those moments. Anotherdisadvantage to flip up style sites is that they are not as resilient asa fixed sight to damage resulting from a fall or other directbludgeoning effect. Fixed rear sights are well known in the prior art.The durability of fixed rear sights if constructed properly is wellknown. Unfortunately most designs rely on a robust profile and largegeometries to provide strength and rigidity. Designs such the onepresented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,677 is inferior to the presentedinvention because the designs strength relies on its overall size.Designs such as the one depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,882 relies on ahousing which surrounds the aiming aperture for durability. This housingresults in unnecessary obstruction of the users view when said sight isused in conjunction with an electronic optic.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly several objects and advantages of the present invention are

-   -   (a) To provide a fixed rear sight which minimally obstructs the        users view through an electronic optic.    -   (b) To allow for a rear sight mounting system which will be        robust enough to not lose zero or break as a result of field        use.    -   (c) To provide rear sight adjustment capability that is capable        of precise adjustment.    -   (d) To allow for the adjustment of windage during low light or        poor weather conditions.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an apparatus which will securely mount toa 1913 Picatinny spec rail, minimally obstruct a user view through anelectronic gun sight, and allow for precise windage adjustment. The baseof the proposed apparatus is design to interface with a Picatinny specrail. A screw which runs perpendicular to the length of the mountingrail and a clamp which follows its longitudinal path provide a means forsecuring the present apparatus. Precise adjustment of the rear sightblade is achieved via an external adjustment knob which requiresmoderate pressure from the user to turn and affect an adjustment. Such aknob does not protrude conspicuously from the base of the rear sight.Atop the rear sight blade is a circular opening or aperture which isused for aiming the associated firearm. The sight blade slides back andforth in a channel which is designed to prevent movement forward orrearwards. A screw which acts as a cam is attached to the adjustmentknob located on the base drives the sight blade the desired direction.The rear sight blade is machined from hardened steel allows so as tosurvive a drop on a hard surface.

DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention,together with further advantages thereof will be better understood fromthe following description considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood,however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and are not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 shows an explodes view of the preferred embodiment rear site;

FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of the rear site assembly;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal side view of the proposed mount rotated 90degrees from its position in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a top sectional view of the proposed unobtrusive rear site;

FIG. 5 shows a horizontal side view of a rifle with the proposed rearsite mounted;

FIG. 6 shows a view of a roll pin, spring and detent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicatedby like numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1, and exploded side view ofthe proposed unobtrusive rear site. The site assembly 10 is comprisedprimarily of the aperture 12, support flange 13, and an adjustment point14. The rear site assembly 10 is designed to interface with the sitehousing 30. The site housing 30 consist primarily of the travel site 33,detent location 34. Integral to the assembly is the receiver clamp 31,clamp screw 32 and the site adjustment screw 11.

In FIG. 2 there is shown an assembled view of the disclosed device.Shown is an assembled front sectional view illustrating how all of theparts interact when the device is assembled.

In FIG. 3 there is shown a horizontal side view of the rear siteassembly 1. Shown are the site assembly 10, site adjustment screw 11,and the housing 30.

FIG. 4 shows a cut away top view of the rear site. Blustrated is how theroll pin 19 interfaces with the site adjustment screw 11 to prevent thescrew from backing out of the housing 30. The internal void where thesite assembly 10 travels is also illustrated for clarity.

As may be clearly seen in FIG. 1 thru 3 the rear site assembly beginswith its housing 30. The housing is designed to interface with a 1913spec Picatinny rail which is well known in the prior art. The receiverclamp 31 will be received by both a Picatinny rail and the housing 30. Aclamp screw 32 enters the housing 30 via a screw hole 35. After passingthrough a hole 35 the screw may be threadedly secured to the receiverclamp 31. The clamp screw 32 places pressure on both the housing 30 andthe receiver clamp 31 to secure the rear site assembly 1 to a Picatinnybase.

The site assembly 10 interfaces with void left in the housing or theadjustment path for site 33. The support flanges 13 provide support forthe site assembly 10. Once the site assembly 10 is in the housing 30 thesite adjustment screw is inserted into screw location two 17 and passesthrough the screw hole 14 located at the bottom of the site assembly 10until the head of the screw 15 stops against the housing 30. A detent 37and detent spring 38 are placed into the detent location 34. With thesite adjustment screw 11 and detent 37 in place a roll pin 19 is driveninto the roll pin location 18 and uses the stop 20 located on the siteadjustment screw 11 as a means to secure said screw.

The rear site assembly 1 is designed to secure to a 1913 spec Picatinnybase through the use of the clamp screw 32 which prevents fore and aftmovement of the site assembly 1, and the receiver clamp 31 which whenfully secured to the 1913 Picatinny base prevents side to side movement.The receiver clamp 31 is secured by rotationally tightening the clampscrew 32 until resistance is felt. The clamp screw 32 is threadedlysecured to the screw retention point 36 located on the receiver clamp31.

When the housing 30 is secured to the Picatinny base the site assembly10 is ready for use. Simplicity of operation is a key design element ofthis rear site 1. Windage adjustment is achieved by rotating the siteadjustment screw 11 either clock wise or counter clock wise. Counterclock wise will move the site assembly 10 left while clock wise willmove the sight assembly 10 right. The detent 37 provides pressuresagainst the detent stops 16 which are located on the site adjustmentscrew 11. This system provides positive resistance when the sightassembly 10 is adjusted and prevents the site assembly 10 from movingunless the user intentionally applies rotational force to the adjustmentmechanism 15 located on the site adjustment screw 11.

The housing 30 is constructed from 7075 T6 aluminum allow while the siteassembly 10 is constructed from 4130 carbon steel for strength andrigidity.

As used herein, the word “front” or “forward” corresponds to the firingdirection of the firearm (i.e., to the right as shown in FIGS. 5);“rear” or “rearward” or “back” corresponds to the direction opposite thefiring direction of the firearm (i.e., to the left as shown in FIGS. 5);“longitudinal” means the direction along or parallel to the longitudinalaxis a of the bore line; and “transverse” means a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Thus, there has been described a preferred embodiment of a rear siteassembly which minimally obstructs the users view and is fixed uprightfor extreme durability. Other embodiments of the present invention, andvariations of the embodiment described herein, may be developed withoutdeparting from the essential characteristics thereof Accordingly, theinvention should be limited only by the scope of the claims listedbelow.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

Accordingly the reader will see that, according to the invention, I haveprovided a rear site assembly is durable yet small in profile. Theproposed apparatus will minimally obstruct the user's view of view butwill easily withstand the rigors of modern warfare.

While my above drawings and description contain many specificities,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of theinvention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodimentthereof.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by theembodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legalequivalents.”

1. An adjustable rear sight comprising: a: a site base for rigidattachment to a firearm, and b: a means to removably secure said sitebase to said firearm, and c: a rear sight unit comprising a sightelement with a means to move said rear sight element into operableposition in a line of sight for aiming the firearm, and d: said sightelement is in a fixed, upright position with a support flange whichprevents the sight element from moving except as provided by said meansto move said rear sight element into operable position, and e: saidsight element is made with high strength alloys Whereby all componentsof said adjustable rear sight are machined from high strength alloys sothat the devices profile might be diminished but retain sufficientstructural strength to survive field use on a modern firearm, furtherthe thin profile of said adjustable rear sight unit minimally obstructsthe user's view of an electronic optic.
 2. The adjustable rear sight ofclaim 1, wherein said support flange prevents fore, aft, and all lateralmovement, which is not resulting from the adjustment means provided, byplacing a section of said rear site unit into said base to prevent foreand aft movement, and using the cross section or t section of said rearsite element to prevent lateral movement.
 3. The adjustable rear sightof claim 1, wherein the attaching means for securing said rear site baseis a 1913 Picatinny fitting.
 4. The adjustable rear sight of claim 1,wherein said sight element has a single circular aperture.
 5. Theadjustable rear sight of claim 1, wherein said rear sight elementcomprises a windage adjustment system which utilizes a cam device havinga manually rotatable member mounted on said site base for retainingreleasably said sight element in a given longitudinal path.
 6. Theadjustable rear sight of claim 4, wherein said rear sight elementtravels in a straight path that runs transverse to the bore line of thehost firearm.
 7. The adjustable rear sight of claim 4, wherein saidwindage adjustment system of the rear sight element comprises a threadedshaft adapted to rotate, to push, or pull said sight element along theallotted path.
 8. The adjustable rear sight of claim 1, wherein saidsight element is machined from a durable steel alloy.
 9. The adjustablerear sight of claim 5, wherein said sight element is heat treated toincrease the hardness of the durable steel alloy.
 10. A method ofadjusting the rear sight of claim 1, comprising: a: rotating manuallysaid cam member about the fixed axis to move forcibly said sight elementthrough a reciprocative path of travel; and b: terminating the manualrotation when said sight element is disposed at the adjusted position.